Congrats to these leaders, innovators and creators
NAIT grads, students and staff do amazing things. To celebrate that fact, we share news every season about those who’ve won awards, reached major milestones, or played leading roles in building their communities.
Here’s the latest group. Please join us in congratulating them.
(Know someone we're missing? Let us know.)
Grads on TV
This fall, a selection of NAIT grads are headed for the small screen, each with a connection to food. Tune in to catch:
- Veronica McRae (Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting ’17) appearing on MasterChef Canada, premiering Oct. 2
- Holly Holt (Culinary Arts ’15) competing as part of the 12th season of Top Chef Canada, with the first episode airing Oct. 14
- Alex Kim (Culinary Arts '11) will also compete on Top Chef Canada
- Jorgia Lindquist (Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting ’21) pitching Don’Ya Ukraine’s Kitchen, which she co-founded, on Dragons’ Den to seek funding for the company’s expansion; the segment will air this season
- Priya Winsor (above, Baking and Pastry Arts ’19) returning to the Food Network (where she recently won the Spring Baking Championship) as a contestant on Wizards of Baking, which turns the fantasy of Harry Potter into fantastic, edible creations; the season premiers Nov. 2
Read about Priya Winsor’s Spring Baking Championship win
Recommitting to NAIT
Following a five-year term starting in Aug. 24, 2020, Laura Jo Gunter signed on this July for another term of two years as NAIT’s president and CEO. Under her leadership, the polytechnic has grown in enrolment, reorganized into seven schools to better align with industry, taken first steps toward realizing the Advanced Skills Centre, and more.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished together in my first term and energized by what lies ahead for NAIT,” says Gunter.
Kudos for Connolly
After 12 years of hosting CBC Radio’s Edmonton A.M. – and a celebrated career with the broadcaster that spanned 37 years – Mark Connolly retired on July 31. The veteran reporter started out at NAIT, landing a job before earning a parchment.
To recognize those origins and success, Media Communications and Production instructor Patrick Galenza visited the CBC studios to present Connolly with a Commemorative Diploma of Broadcast Excellence.
Butchery’s best
Butchery Team Canada competed for the second time in the World Butchers’ Challenge, held every three years, putting its skills to the test in turning raw materials into displays of beef, pork, lamb and chicken.
Corey Meyer (Retail Meat Cutting ’96), owner of Acme Meat Market, rejoined the team this past April in Paris, France, where he helped the team place 5th of 14 countries.
In honour of King Charles III (and others)
The King Charles III’s Coronation Medal was created to mark the historic occasion of crowning a new monarch, as well as to recognize notable contributions and achievements of citizens of the Commonwealth.
Among the recent recipients from the NAIT community are
Savoury science
As lead food scientist with the Centre for Culinary Innovation, Chris Song bridges the scientific and sensory aspects of food. A University of Alberta Nutrition and Food Science grad, Song was recently acknowledged with the institute’s Alumni Honour award. The recognition focuses on achievements and contributions of recent graduates who are 40 years of age or younger.
See how Chris Song helped a local distillery design a plant-based cream liquer
It takes a village
When Andy Karesa (Bachelor of Technology ’16, Instrumentation Engineering Technology ’12) saw his family struggle during his grandmother’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s, it led him to create blueBell Village. The health innovation company provides a platform to coordinate dementia care.
BlueBell was recently named a finalist in the Indigenous-led Entrepreneurship and Contributions to Knowledge category at the 2025 Astech Awards, which recognize the best in Alberta’s science and technology innovation community.
Reaching great heights
Earlier this year, Crane and Hoist Equipment Operator instructor and grad, (class of '13) Ashleigh Kaliszuk earned the attention of UpLoad, the magazine of Liebherr, the international heavy machinery company. Editors focused on Kaliszuk’s full circle journey and impact on students.
“She is not only a skilled crane operator, but she’s also an inspirational mentor who is helping to shape the future of the industry,” they wrote.
Read Ashleigh Kaliszuk’s 10 tips for women in construction trades
Generous and fearless
The South Asian Inspiration Awards highlight the contributions of Albertans from the South Asian community. This September, Bean Gill (Medical Radiologic Technology ’03) was named at the annual gala as the recipient of the community leader award.
The organization described Gill, cofounder of the ReYu Paralysis Recovery Centre, as a dedicated advocate who uses her story to support those living with disabilities.
Read about what led to Bean Gill’s role in the CBC docuseries Push
Beyond XIX
Andrew Fung (Cook ’01, Baking ’98), the chef behind the south Edmonton fine-dining fixture, XIX, has followed through on dream with the recent opening of the Asian-inspired Juu.Ku. Fung’s work was featured in all its delicious detail in the July/August issue of Edify magazine.
AI for AHS
Since the pandemic, Alberta Health Services has used AI and automation to streamline repetitive but necessary tasks to free up staff. As the leader of the AHS intelligent automation team, Jesse Tutt (Bachelor of Technology ’15) has been instrumental in that work.
In recognition of ongoing developments, this summer Tutt and AHS were awarded the Legend Award from SS&C Blue Prism, a multinational leader in the field of AI and automation.
Learn what you can do with a Bachelor of Technology in Management
Highly refined learning
Sometimes, there can be a disconnect between what continuing education providers want to teach and what students want to learn. To help close the gap, NAIT Continuing Education staff Karla Barron, Partha Roy and Scott Biggs authored “From Data to Impact: Shaping CE Programs for Today’s Learners and Jobs.”
Published in August in The EvoLLLution, the article explains why market research is essential to meeting the needs of both groups.
Explore the programs at NAIT Corporate and Continuing Education
Straight to the point(ing)
Each month, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Bayview Division of General Internal Medicine highlight health-care studies they feel are worthy of international attention. In August, a paper by NAIT researchers Dr. Efrem Violato and Mike Cheung (Emergency Medical Technologist – Paramedic ’10) was among those.
Inspired by a Japanese method, “Teaching pointing and calling (Shisa Kanko) to reduce error and improve performance” looks at the results of sharing a simple but effective technique with NAIT students.
Learn about the potential impacts of the technique on patient outcomes
Hurrying harder than most
Jules Owchar started at NAIT as a physical education instructor in 1969, but by the time he retired in 2003, his impact reached well beyond the classroom.
A legendary curling coach, Owchar guided a young Kevin Martin (Petroleum Engineering Technology ’87) in 1984 toward Olympic and world championships. Later, he coached Olympic champ Brad Gushue.
For his contributions to the sport, Owchar was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 27.
Read more about Owchar and Martin’s legendary partnership
Banner image of Priya Winsor courtesy of Food Network